IT SPY annually presents the most interesting student projects focused on artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, data analytics, robotics or other technologies that fundamentally influence the shape of the contemporary world. The competition is a unique opportunity to observe what trends and innovations are emerging at Czech and Slovak universities. Registration of nominated students will be open until September 19, 2026.
FEE CTU has long confirmed its strong position in the field of computer science in the competition. Successful diploma theses of its students show that computer science today is far from just about programming, but also about the ability to use modern technologies to solve complex problems in industry, healthcare, transport or security.
“When we look at the winning projects from recent years, it is clear that the future of computer science is shaped primarily by artificial intelligence, data work, robotics and cybersecurity. The IT SPY competition is interesting precisely because it often captures new trends before they are fully established in industry. Moreover, many of the awarded projects do not end with the defense of the thesis, but continue in research or find practical application. I am pleased that students of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science CTU have been making a significant contribution to these successful projects in the long term,” says doc. Jiří Vokřínek, head of the Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science CTU and faculty ambassador of the IT SPY competition.
From artificial intelligence to robotics to medicine
The overview of the awarded projects from recent years shows the extraordinary breadth of topics that students of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science CTU are working on.
The winner of the last year, Aneta Furmanová, a graduate of the Medical Electronics and Bioinformatics study program, used machine learning methods to model the properties of sonic crystals in her diploma thesis. Her research can contribute to the development of new solutions for reducing noise pollution in cities.
Jindřiška Deckerová, the winner of the 2021 year and the first woman ever to win the IT SPY competition, designed an algorithm for finding optimal routes for autonomous robots and drones. Šimon Mandlík, the winner of the 2020 year, focused on the use of machine learning in the analysis of large-scale data networks, and his results have found application in the field of cybersecurity. Second place in 2023 went to Pavlína Koutecká for her design of methods for planning surgical procedures in hospitals using optimization algorithms and machine learning.
The common denominator of these projects is the connection of cutting-edge research with practical use. Many award-winning graduates subsequently continue their doctoral studies, research, or work in technology companies and start-ups.
Long-term successes of FEE CTU in the IT SPY competition
2025 – 1st place: Aneta Furmanová
Modeling the properties of the band structure of sonic crystals using machine learning
Study program: Medical Electronics and Bioinformatics
2024 – 2nd place: Jiří Janota
Mapping a honeycomb with a robot
Study program: Cybernetics and Robotics
2023 – 2nd place: Pavlína Koutecká
Planning surgical procedures using the branch-and-price method accelerated by machine learning
Study program: Open Informatics
2022 – 1st place: Jiří Ulrich
Multi-camera localization system based on black-and-white pattern detection
Study program: Open Informatics
2021 – 1st place: Jindřiška Deckerová
Generalized routing problems with connected neighborhoods
Study program: Open Informatics
2020 – 1st place: Šimon Mandlík
Mapping the Internet – Modeling Entity Interactions in Complex Heterogeneous Networks
Study Program: Open Informatics
2019 – 1st Place and Valeo Prize: Jan Bayer
Autonomous Exploration of Uneven Terrain by a Six-Legged Walking Robot
Study Program: Cybernetics and Robotics
About the IT SPY 2026 Competition
The IT SPY Competition is an official competition of Czech and Slovak universities for the best diploma thesis in the field of computer science and information technology. Each year, faculties can nominate up to 10% of the total number of defended diploma theses. The awarded projects are selected by a professional academic jury consisting of leading experts from universities and industry.
More information about the competition can be found at www.itspy.cz.